Jane Mangan's Cheltenham Festival Tips: 'Fact To File is a penalty kick'

At William Hill's recent Cheltenham Festival Preview night, irishracing.com caught up with ambassador Jane Mangan who gave her Festival fancies, including ‘an absolute certainty’ in the Ryanair Chase.

Champion Hurdle

I would say Lossiemouth and The New Lion are both two-and-a-half milers and I would say The New Lion probably has her measure and I think the eight hurdles in front of Harry Skelton are his biggest danger.

Arkle Novices’ Chase

I’m on the side of Lulamba but the vibes in Ireland are very strong for Kopek Des Bordes. The schooling, the work he’s been doing, the fact that he’s a Supreme winner. To be honest if he was in the Champion Hurdle I’d fancy him.

Nicky Henderson has won eight Arkles and Lulamba is a lot better than Jango Baie. I think he’s the real deal and he’ll be strong in the last half mile whereas he might not be as strong in the first half of the race.

Ryanair Chase

Fact To File: he’s a certainty, an absolute banker and he’ll be a penalty kick if he lines up.

Spillane’s Tower in the Gold Cup

You saw what he did in January. He travelled, he stayed three miles, whether he stays 3m2f we don’t know. It will be a different tempo of a gallop. I don’t know who will ride him.

I think my parents are very happy with the horse, he’ll travel on Wednesday on the ferry and to have a runner in the Gold Cup is a big deal.